My Asda motor insurance won't pay out
Three years ago, I was involved in a car accident. I informed my insurers, Asda Insurance, and — as requested — sent a sketch of the scene.
Clear: The responsibility for this matter lies with your insurer
I heard nothing from them until August 2008 (eight months after the accident) when claims handlers for Asda's underwriters, Norwich Union (now Aviva), contacted me.
They said in the absence of any witness evidence they proposed a 50-50 settlement. Should I not agree, I was to contact them within 14 days.
Accepting their advice, I did not contact them and assumed the matter would be resolved. It obviously wasn't.
Last October, I received a letter from the third party's solicitors claiming an outstanding debt of £1,102.28. I immediately sent this letter to the claims handler and a copy to Asda Insurance.
In December, the solicitors wrote again. The amount now required was £1,535.85 and legal action was threatened. I sent this correspondence by recorded delivery to both parties.
P.R., Gravesend, Kent.
Margaret Stone, from Money Mail, replies: It has taken me the better part of seven weeks and lots of reminders to get a reply from Asda, so I do understand your frustration in getting your claim resolved.
Although you were following the claims handler's advice not to contact them, a quick phone call to say you accepted the 50-50 settlement might have prevented your later problems.
You didn't, however, and thereafter all the responsibility for this matter lies with Asda, its insurance provider, Aviva, and its claims handling firm, Ai Claims Solutions.
Why did no one come back to you in late 2008 to remind you about the proposed settlement?
Why, between October 2010 and January 2011, were four letters — including enclosures from the third party's solicitors — ignored?
It is a serious matter to be threatened with litigation. But I'm glad to say that, finally, the matter is settled. Aviva has written to you confirming the claims costs would be paid in full.
For its part, Asda has apologised and, as it ought to, is offering a £200 gesture of goodwill.
Most watched Money videos
- BMW meets Swarovski and releases BMW i7 Crystal Headlights Iconic Glow
- Mail Online takes a tour of Gatwick's modern EV charging station
- MailOnline asks Lexie Limitless 5 quick fire EV road trip questions
- Skoda reveals Skoda Epiq as part of an all-electric car portfolio
- BMW's Vision Neue Klasse X unveils its sports activity vehicle future
- How to invest for income and growth: SAINTS' James Dow
- 'Now even better': Nissan Qashqai gets a facelift for 2024 version
- Mercedes has finally unveiled its new electric G-Class
- Mini celebrates the release of brand new all-electric car Mini Aceman
- 2025 Aston Martin DBX707: More luxury but comes with a higher price
- Land Rover unveil newest all-electric Range Rover SUV
- Tesla unveils new Model 3 Performance - it's the fastest ever!
- Former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi to chair Very Group
- Gamestop shares double as 'meme stock' social media...
- How reliable are the most popular used cars? Here's how...
- Taxpayer stake in NatWest falls below 27% as Treasury...
- Anglo American rejects rival BHP's £34bn second takeover bid
- Police not interested in shoplifting, says M&S as thefts...
- Cerillion boosted by $11.1m contract with provider of...
- UK Government sells another chunk of NatWest shares
- Diploma shares top FTSE 100 risers after firm raises...
- A MILLION more people have taken on mortgages they will...
- Used car marketplace Cazoo looking for buyers as it nears...
- Evri issues warning over huge rise in smishing scams -...
- US owner of Boots steps up efforts to find a buyer for...
- I repeatedly bail out my partner from his financial...
- BUSINESS LIVE: Nadhim Zahawi to chair The Very Group;...
- MARKET REPORT: FTSE falters despite UBS call to buy...
- Phoenix Group finance chief to step down from insurer
- London's 'Mr Super Prime' to take centre stage in...